Summary:
Zip code 29526 in Conway, South Carolina, is served by 11 schools—5 elementary, 2 middle, and 4 high schools—enrolling roughly 7,457 students, with the vast majority belonging to the highly-rated Horry 01 district (88th percentile statewide) and one charter under the Limestone Charters Association.
For parents, the standout is HCS Scholars Academy High, which ranks #1 in the state with 100% proficiency on all EOCEP exams, a 100% graduation rate, and just 1.6% chronic absenteeism—though its small, selective enrollment of 209 students means results may not reflect a typical school. Among elementary options, Kingston Elementary leads the pack, ranking 104th statewide and exceeding district averages in every subject, especially 5th grade math (69.1% vs. 54.3% district). Conway Elementary is also strong, with 4th grade ELA at 83.4% (12.9 points above district). The charter Atlantic Collegiate Academy impresses with a 98.2% graduation rate and 98.72% English 2 proficiency, all while spending just $9,591 per student—the lowest in the area—but carries a high 31.3:1 student-teacher ratio. In contrast, Palmetto Academy of Learning Motorsports (PALM) has declined sharply to the 35th percentile despite spending the most ($17,355 per student).
Key concerns include Conway High's 32.5% chronic absenteeism rate—1.7x the state average—though it still posts a 90.4% graduation rate. Both middle schools (Black Water Middle and Conway Middle) struggle with math proficiency in the 38-43% range, well below district averages, despite near-perfect Algebra 1 scores from advanced students. Elementary math gaps are notable at Waccamaw Elementary (5th grade math at 38.6%) and South Conway Elementary, while Homewood Elementary sits near district averages. Overall, spending does not predict success—the lowest spender outperforms the highest—so parents should weigh school culture, class size, and specific subject strengths when choosing.
Thank you for your feedback!